Fire between Bend and Burns 60 percent contained

Nearly 300 firefighters have brought the more than 52,000-acre Cinder Butte Fire west of Riley to 60 percent containment, with full containment expected by Wednesday, officials said Sunday.

The fire began last Wednesday off U.S. Highway 20 about 10 miles west of Riley and raced across tens of thousands of acres within a day, fueled by winds and record-breaking heat.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No injuries have been reported, but two outbuildings were destroyed, and 20 nearby homes remain under a Level 1 (Get Ready) evacuation notice.

Officials said there was no significant fire growth Saturday, as crews work to improve perimeter line and begin mop-up work on contained portions of the fire.

Small pockets of smoldering juniper on the fire’s southern edge continue to be found and assigned crews to ensure they are controlled, officials said in Sunday’s update.

A fire operations flight over the fire discovered a significant amount of unburned fuel islands within the fire, officials said.

More information this and other major Oregon fires can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/state/38/